Leveraging recent developments in monitoring and AI to develop dynamic ecological-economic models for adaptive biodiversity conservation policy instruments

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Frank Wätzold
• Subject Area: Ecology of Land Use ; Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Policy, Agricultural Sociology
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 563531457

The overall objective of the thematic network Model2Adapt is to explore the potential of combining recent developments in biodiversity monitoring, artificial intelligence (AI) , and modelling to develop novel dynamic models that integrate ecological and economic information in a continuous process to develop recommendations for effective, cost-effective and state-dependent biodiversity conservation policy instruments. For this purpose, we will bring together experts in the fields of ecology, economics, AI, remote sensing, biodiversity conservation, digital twins and ecological as well as ecological-economic modelling. We plan three workshops. The aim of the first workshop is to present the state of the art in the different disciplines, with a focus on how this can be linked to the overall theme of the network including the issue of the availability of monitoring data relevant for conservation. The second workshop will discuss perspectives on how novel monitoring technologies, AI and ecological-economic modelling can be combined for innovative dynamic modelling approaches and the third workshop on how these novel modelling approaches can be applied to develop innovative effective, cost-effective and state-dependent policy instruments to conserve biodiversity.

• DFG Programme: Scientific Networks
• Co-Investigator: Professorin Dr. Anna Cord